Five reasons why Arsenal are in the title race
Arsenal 5 - 1 Manchester City
The Gunners moved back to within six points of the Premier League summit with a 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City.
Arsenal took the lead just 103 seconds into the match, with Martin Ødegaard slotting into an empty net after a mix-up between John Stones and Manuel Akanji.
Erling Haaland levelled the score early in the second half with a superb header, but Arsenal restored their advantage just a minute later when Thomas Partey’s deflected strike found the back of the net.
Myles Lewis-Skelly extended their lead with a brilliant finish, before Kai Havertz capitalised on a counter-attack to make it four. In stoppage time, Ethan Nwaneri wrapped up the scoring in style, curling in a stunning effort.
The result sees Arsenal move nine points clear of fourth-placed Manchester City, who could drop further if Chelsea beat West Ham United on Monday.
TUNNEL CAM: Full time scenes at Emirates Stadium 🎥 pic.twitter.com/ezE2znqj31
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 2, 2025
The Arsenal perspective
Arsenal is playing the role of hunter rather than hunted in this Premier League title race as they try to keep pace with Liverpool's relentless form.
As the full-time whistle blew, Emirates Stadium was a scene of raucous celebration at the final whistle as the home side's title bid received a real turbo charge.
Another Arsenal fan was asked about whether they had expected this result. They replied: "No, not at half-time. I felt our intensity dropped after we scored. I’ve seen it happen so many times—we take an early lead and then sit back too much. When we stay on the front foot and keep pressing, no one can handle us."
Another City collapse. Where do they go from here?
Manchester City’s worrying tendency to crumble under pressure was on full display once again. Just as they did against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last month, they suffered a dramatic second-half collapse, conceding four goals.
This is the same side that made history by winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title last season—has a top team’s form ever nosedived so dramatically?
City briefly had hope when Erling Haaland levelled the score, but their collapse was nothing short of embarrassing. Arsenal swiftly regained the lead, leaving Pep Guardiola looking baffled and helpless on the touchline.
End of an era? youtu.be/squMiSk0DVk?...
— European Super Football (@superfootball.bsky.social) 2 February 2025 at 20:45
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Much has been made of Rodri’s season-ending injury in September, which was undoubtedly a huge blow. But even that doesn’t fully explain the sheer scale of City’s decline, both domestically and in Europe.
They were a shambles in the final 30 minutes, with Arsenal threatening to score every time they pushed forward. The final whistle couldn’t come soon enough to spare them from further punishment.
Next up, City face reigning champions Real Madrid in the Champions League play-offs for a place in the last 16. Based on this showing, Kylian Mbappé and his teammates will be relishing the prospect.
